Ruger Precision vs. Savage

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Big_Sloppy75

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So I've been doing lots of research on both Ruger and Savage. The RPR seems like a fantastic value, but I was wondering if a savage 11 in a chassis could ever compete with it? Part of me wants to build on to a rifle, so I'm leaning toward the $550 savage and getting parts as I go. I mostly would like to paper punch, but it would be nice to have a back up rifle for deer and elk hunting in Colorado. I'm planning on a 6.5 Creedmoor, but am not quite sold on passing on a .308. Any thoughts from all types of shooters/hunters welcome and appreciated.
 
I have a 308 RPR. Great gun but I wouldnt hunt with it at 11 lbs dressed. The creedmores are even heavier. It would feel like you are lugging around an M60 all day.
 
And that was kind of my consensus. I'm just worried the Savage won't be as accurate, but much lighter
 
I think you would be surprised at the accuracy of a stock Savage. I have always had good luck with Savage rifles being very accurate out of the box. I currently have 4 of them; model 12 308, Mark II in .22, a Mark II in 17M2, and an old Modal 120 single shot 22. I had a Modal 110 in 270 years ago. All of them are tack drivers.
 
Either give up on hunting with it and get the RPR, or check out the Tikka CTR. They are much lighter, and mine is very accurate.
 
As a die hard Ruger fan, I'd go Savage and build it.

From the reviews I've been reading (haven't shot one so take it for what it is), the RPR is very accurate, but not earth shattering as advertised. Obviously this is also based on the skill of the shooter.

I love the Savage trigger and I have never shot a bad one. I even had a buddy with one with a barrel that was shot out where there was no rifling after the chamber until like 5 inches down. Still got great groups and would take coyotes with ease.

Savage also has some great "turn-key" rifles for long range. The Tikka as mentioned would also be a good option.
 
The ruger has a deep chamber . Seat at almost as the deep as the mag allows and groups get cut in half over standard length in .308 at least. Ive settled on .2825" with 175 grain Nossler BTHP as the COAL length. Currently doing .5" groups at 100 with 41.7 grains 4064 weighed.
 
I am a savage fan and have never really cared for any ruger other than a rimfire. I have 3 savage rifles; .308, 22 middlestead, and 6.5 Creedmoor and all of them are 1/2 moa with handloads and heavy barrels. I was hitting a 6" plate at 810yds with my .308 precision carbine a week ago. I can make head shots @ 650yds with my 6.5 Creedmoor lrp. Go savage all the way!
 
The RPR is the flavor of the month. There is a lot of features you get with the RPR, but it's not light.

Whoever said the Tikka CTR is much lighter must not have held both the CTR and RPR.

I'm a fan of Savage because you can DIY and upgrade the parts as funds allow. I'd opt to get a chassis for precision and XLR...and used factory stock or get a hunting stock.

I've never owned a Savage that didn't shoot well...these days, I replace with pre fit Savage barrels...the Shilen select match I had for my 308 was the best grouping barrel I've ever owned. I have CDI as well for my 300WM.

There are companies offering drop in barrels for the RPR, but it's still going to be heavy.
 
[/QUOTE]I love the Savage trigger and I have never shot a bad one
My RPR .243 came out of the box at 2.3lb and is on par and same design as the Accutrigger. Though Ive never shot a Savage I own many aftermarket kickass triggers,you should try the Ruger(Kudos Ruger):)
 
I wish my FN SPRs trigger was as nice out of the box as my Savage 12 BVSS. Haven't messed with an RPR yet but if it's as good as the savage then it's good.

OP, don't let people talk you out of hunting with your target rifle. You most certainly can.
 
Thanks for the input first of all, and really I'm getting the feeling I really can't go wrong with either, which is how I felt. I know it wouldn't be great to carry either, but in the Rugers case it would feel like an AR, which is manageable for a few miles. I got to be honest, I don't care for the RPR trigger, but liked the savage. Everyone has their favorite triggers, so I'm definitely not knocking it as some hate the Accu-Trigger. How important would a heavy barrel be? The Savage I've had my eye on is a sporter, and I don't think it would hurt accuracy much if at all, but I'm new to this game
 
That's true Bart. I don't know if many modified RPR's have been used, but stock Savages have done very well in competitions
 
I think Long Range inc is making barrels for it, and someone who has an RPR or is not as ignorant as me please chime in, but doesn't any AR barrel work with the RPR?
 
I think Long Range inc is making barrels for it, and someone who has an RPR or is not as ignorant as me please chime in, but doesn't any AR barrel work with the RPR?
No. Totally different way they go into the receiver. The forends are the same but thats it.
 
Whoever said the Tikka CTR is much lighter must not have held both the CTR and RPR.

That would be me, and I own both rifles, how about you? Either? The published weight for the Tikka CTR is 7.5 lbs, and mine is right around that naked. The published weight for my RPR in 6.5 Creedmoor is 10.6 lbs.... That is over 3 lbs difference, which qualifies the CTR as a much lighter rifle than the RPR by any standard. To put it another way, the 6.5 RPR is over 40% heavier than the CTR. That is why I recommended the CTR if the OP wants to hunt and shoot targets, its highly accurate, and still light enough that you could hunt with it if you wanted. You really should do at least a little research before posting stuff like this.

The OP will be hard pressed to build up a savage target rifle, and have it come in lighter than the CTR.
 
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FWIW if you want a really decently accurate rifle out of the box I would go with Savage. After you shoot it some with handloads then make a decision about upgrading on it. I own several Savages and on my 308 I replaced the barrel with a Douglass and the improvement I ended up with had me thinking that I should have left well enough alone. The AccuTrigger on my newer ones IS a big improvement though. You could find a good used 10/11/16 series and do the upgrades on that and I feel you will have a better finished rifle for less money.

I have a old style 270 (pre AccuTrigger)that is pretty much stock and if doing my part off a bench I can shoot a 5 shot group at 150 YDS using a Speer 130 grain Grand slam and put a dime over it many times but always no larger than a nickle. All of mine were 1 MOA or less with factory ammo when I purchased them, either new or used.
 
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I mostly would like to paper punch, but it would be nice to have a back up rifle for deer and elk hunting in Colorado.

* * * The published weight for my RPR in 6.5 Creedmoor is 10.6 lbs.... That is over 3 lbs difference, which qualifies the CTR as a much lighter rifle than the RPR by any standard. To put it another way, the 6.5 RPR is over 40% heavier than the CTR. * * *

The RPR is a major league boat anchor once you factor-in the additional weight of a scope, mount, bipod, and sling - and nobody hunts with a boat anchor, or not for long anyway. :rolleyes:

See, guys want it both ways (precision rig & sub-MOA hunter), and then aren't particularly happy when they get it and realize that this dual-capacity role they imagined doesn't work in the field.

If you look at rifles like the ballistic "golf clubs" they are, you'll understand why you need more than one for certain roles.

A weighty LR precision bolt rig for accuracy at serious distance, and a lighter but still accurate (minute-of-fur) field stick for taking game, caliber choice being driven by the species hunted. :cool:
 
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Well that all depends on the hunting scenario and area hunted. For instance, I live in a very flat area in arkansas and I don't have to go far walking to get into my hunting areas which have been mainly open cropland. So this past year I hunted with my precision rig at 16lbs and took a doe at 875yds. I was prone on my shooting mat. If I were in a tree I would use a 30-30 or similar.
 
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